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Early Fantasy Football 2014 Big Board (Top 280)

A healthy Rob Gronkowski has been a welcome sight in Patriots’ training camp

NFL training camps are in full swing now and even though the games that count are still more than a month away, that doesn’t mean what’s happening on the practice field doesn’t impact fantasy football. For example, injuries have already made their mark, both in a good and bad way, which has resulted in some shuffling on Athlon Sports’ Fantasy Football Big Board (Top 280).

From the “good” standpoint, there has been no more welcome sight in Foxboro, Mass., than a healthy Rob Gronkowski on the field. It’s still early, but Gronk appears to be progressing in his recovery from the torn ACL and MCL he suffered last December. There’s still plenty of risk when it comes to Gronk’s fantasy value, but the potential reward is enough to move him up in our rankings.

Unfortunately, the news has not been as optimistic in other camps. Running backs Vick Ballard (Achilles) and Kendall Hunter (ACL) already have seen their 2014 seasons come to an abrupt end due to season-ending injuries, while several others are dealing with other ailments of varying degrees. Regardless of the severity, these injuries and other happening on or off of the field (such as suspensions or retirements) have a twofold effect as it relates to fantasy. Not only do they potentially change the outlook for teammates on their respective teams, but they also necessitate numerous adjustments to our Big Board. And keep in mind that preseason action has yet to begin. More changes are sure to come.

Early 2014 Fantasy Football Big Board (Top 280)

(Last updated on 7/29/14)

Rank

Player

Team

Pos

Comment

1

LeSean McCoy

PHI

RB

2

Jamaal Charles

KC

RB

Shortest training camp holdout ever?

3

Adrian Peterson

MIN

RB

Says Vikes' O no longer "predictable."

4

Matt Forté

CHI

RB

5

Calvin Johnson

DET

WR

6

Marshawn Lynch

SEA

RB

How long will Beast Mode hold out?

7

Jimmy Graham

NO

TE

TE and contract status no longer in doubt.

8

Demaryius Thomas

DEN

WR

9

Peyton Manning

DEN

QB

10

A.J. Green

CIN

WR

11

Julio Jones

ATL

WR

Being brought along slowly.

12

Eddie Lacy

GB

RB

13

Brandon Marshall

CHI

WR

14

Dez Bryant

DAL

WR

15

Arian Foster

HOU

RB

If healthy, he should see plenty of work.

16

Doug Martin

TB

RB

17

DeMarco Murray

DAL

RB

18

Zac Stacy

STL

RB

19

Le'Veon Bell

PIT

RB

Could be big beneficiary of improved O-line.

20

Montee Ball

DEN

RB

21

Antonio Brown

PIT

WR

22

Jordy Nelson

GB

WR

Short-term future secure with 4-year extension.

23

Alshon Jeffery

CHI

WR

24

Andre Johnson

HOU

WR

Appears to be on board w/ team's direction.

25

Vincent Jackson

TB

WR

26

Randall Cobb

GB

WR

Ready to prove he's worthy of new deal.

27

Alfred Morris

WAS

RB

28

Giovani Bernard

CIN

RB

29

Reggie Bush

DET

RB

30

Ryan Mathews

SD

RB

31

Drew Brees

NO

QB

Wants to play 10 more years.

32

Aaron Rodgers

GB

QB

33

Larry Fitzgerald

ARI

WR

34

Victor Cruz

NYG

WR

35

Pierre Garcon

WAS

WR

36

Keenan Allen

SD

WR

37

Roddy White

ATL

WR

38

Wes Welker

DEN

WR

39

Percy Harvin

SEA

WR

40

Matthew Stafford

DET

QB

41

Julius Thomas

DEN

TE

42

Rob Gronkowski

NE

TE

So far, so good.

43

DeSean Jackson

WAS

WR

44

Michael Crabtree

SF

WR

45

T.Y. Hilton

IND

WR

46

Torrey Smith

BAL

WR

47

Frank Gore

SF

RB

Team already down one back (Hunter, ACL).

48

C.J. Spiller

BUF

RB

Says his ankle is 100 percent.

49

Ben Tate

CLE

RB

50

Julian Edelman

NE

WR

51

Vernon Davis

SF

TE

Wants new contract, but he's in camp.

52

Jordan Cameron

CLE

TE

53

Michael Floyd

ARI

WR

54

Cordarrelle Patterson

MIN

WR

Expanded role in Turner's O coming?

55

Jeremy Maclin

PHI

WR

56

Andre Ellington

ARI

RB

Added weight in the offseason.

57

Trent Richardson

IND

RB

Played hurt last season. Bounce back coming?

58

Chris Johnson

NYJ

RB

Reportedly looking "explosive" in camp.

59

Ray Rice

BAL

RB

Don't forget he will miss the first 2 games.

60

Toby Gerhart

JAC

RB

Don't discount him as an every-down back.

61

Steven Jackson

ATL

RB

62

Rashad Jennings

NYG

RB

63

Reggie Wayne

IND

WR

Looking good in his return from ACL tear.

64

Marques Colston

NO

WR

65

Sammy Watkins

BUF

WR

Has yet to play a game and already on "Hot Seat."

66

Shane Vereen

NE

RB

67

Stevan Ridley

NE

RB

68

Joique Bell

DET

RB

69

Andrew Luck

IND

QB

70

Russell Wilson

SEA

QB

71

Bishop Sankey

TEN

RB

72

Pierre Thomas

NO

RB

73

Cam Newton

CAR

QB

74

Robert Griffin III

WAS

QB

RG3 likes what he's seen from Gruden, new O so far.

75

Jason Witten

DAL

TE

76

Greg Olsen

CAR

TE

77

Dennis Pitta

BAL

TE

Healthy Pitta could be difference-maker for Ravens.

78

Jordan Reed

WAS

TE

79

Knowshon Moreno

MIA

RB

Starting job may not be his to lose in first place.

80

Maurice Jones-Drew

OAK

RB

81

Darren Sproles

PHI

RB

82

Fred Jackson

BUF

RB

83

Nick Foles

PHI

QB

84

Colin Kaepernick

SF

QB

New contract leaves plenty of room for growth still.

85

Matt Ryan

ATL

QB

86

Kendall Wright

TEN

WR

87

Mike Wallace

MIA

WR

Knows he needs to better this season.

88

Golden Tate

DET

WR

89

Eric Decker

NYJ

WR

90

Tom Brady

NE

QB

Healthy Gronk could mean return to vintage Brady.

91

DeAngelo Williams

CAR

RB

92

Danny Woodhead

SD

RB

93

Lamar Miller

MIA

RB

Reportedly already ahead of Moreno.

94

Emmanuel Sanders

DEN

WR

95

Cecil Shorts

JAC

WR

Expected to miss 2 weeks b/c of hamstring injury.

96

Riley Cooper

PHI

WR

97

Anquan Boldin

SF

WR

98

Kyle Rudolph

MIN

TE

Pending FA no longer after signing 5-year extension.

99

Tony Romo

DAL

QB

100

Philip Rivers

SD

QB

101

Jay Cutler

CHI

QB

102

Ben Roethlisberger

PIT

QB

OL and WRs both could be better this season.

103

Charles Clay

MIA

TE

104

Martellus Bennett

CHI

TE

105

Delanie Walker

TEN

TE

106

Zach Ertz

PHI

TE

107

Heath Miller

PIT

TE

108

Bernard Pierce

BAL

RB

Will have 2 games to make strong impression.

109

Khiry Robinson

NO

RB

110

David Wilson

NYG

RB

Got medical clearance (neck) to return to field.

111

Chris Ivory

NYJ

RB

Injured hamstring keeping him out of camp.

112

Terrance Williams

DAL

WR

113

DeAndre Hopkins

HOU

WR

114

Antonio Gates

SD

TE

115

Ladarius Green

SD

TE

116

Seahawks

SEA

DST

117

Shonn Greene

TEN

RB

Won't give up starting job w/o a fight.

118

Tre Mason

STL

RB

119

Darren McFadden

OAK

RB

120

Danny Amendola

NE

WR

121

Dwayne Bowe

KC

WR

Reported to camp in great shape.

122

Hakeem Nicks

IND

WR

123

Greg Jennings

MIN

WR

124

Steve Smith

BAL

WR

125

James Jones

OAK

WR

131

49ers

SF

DST

132

Andy Dalton

CIN

QB

133

Eli Manning

NYG

QB

126

Carson Palmer

ARI

QB

127

Tavon Austin

STL

WR

128

Marvin Jones

CIN

WR

129

Rueben Randle

NYG

WR

130

Justin Hunter

TEN

WR

134

Christine Michael

SEA

RB

Lynch's holdout increases appeal.

135

Mark Ingram

NO

RB

136

Jeremy Hill

CIN

RB

Rookie off to good start in camp.

137

Andre Brown

HOU

RB

138

Donald Brown

SD

RB

139

Coby Fleener

IND

TE

140

Bengals

CIN

DST

141

Cardinals

ARI

DST

142

Panthers

CAR

DST

143

Broncos

DEN

DST

144

Jarrett Boykin

GB

WR

145

Brandin Cooks

NO

WR

Lots to like, but still a rookie.

146

Eric Ebron

DET

TE

147

Dwayne Allen

IND

TE

148

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

CIN

RB

149

LeGarrette Blount

PIT

RB

150

James Starks

GB

RB

151

Roy Helu

WAS

RB

152

Mike Evans

TB

WR

153

Kelvin Benjamin

CAR

WR

Will miss some of camp due to a bone bruise.

154

Denarius Moore

OAK

WR

155

Doug Baldwin

SEA

WR

156

Markus Wheaton

PIT

WR

157

Rams

STL

DST

158

Chiefs

KC

DST

159

Kenny Stills

NO

WR

160

Aaron Dobson

NE

WR

Still recovering from foot surgery.

161

Andrew Hawkins

CLE

WR

162

Rod Streater

OAK

WR

163

Marqise Lee

JAC

WR

Ace Sanders taking leave of absence for personal reasons.

164

Josh McCown

TB

QB

165

Joe Flacco

BAL

QB

166

Ryan Tannehill

MIA

QB

167

Johnny Manziel

CLE

QB

No rookie under more scrutiny than Johnny Football.

168

Patriots

NE

DST

169

Bills

BUF

DST

170

Buccaneers

TB

DST

171

Browns

CLE

DST

172

Alex Smith

KC

QB

173

Sam Bradford

STL

QB

May not play in first preseason game as precaution.

174

Tyler Eifert

CIN

TE

175

Odell Beckham Jr.

NYG

WR

Off to sluggish start due to hamstring injury.

176

Brian Hartline

MIA

WR

177

Knile Davis

KC

RB

178

Latavius Murray

OAK

RB

179

C.J. Anderson

DEN

RB

180

Jonathan Stewart

CAR

RB

Can't seem to shake injury bug.

181

Carlos Hyde

SF

RB

Hunter's (ACL) loss could be Hyde's gain.

182

Terrance West

CLE

RB

183

Jonathan Dwyer

ARI

RB

184

Ahmad Bradshaw

IND

RB

Vick Ballard (Achilles) out for season.

185

Miles Austin

CLE

WR

186

Stevie Johnson

SF

WR

187

Jerricho Cotchery

CAR

WR

188

Owen Daniels

BAL

TE

189

Jared Cook

STL

TE

190

Matt Prater

DEN

K

191

Stephen Gostkowski

NE

K

192

EJ Manuel

BUF

QB

193

Jake Locker

TEN

QB

Says his foot (Lisfranc injury) is completely healed.

194

Geno Smith

NYJ

QB

Thinks he'll be a top 5 QB in 2 years.

195

Matt Schaub

OAK

QB

196

Jordan Todman

JAC

RB

197

Austin Seferian-Jenkins

TB

TE

198

Jace Amaro

NYJ

TE

Sustained minor knee injury early in camp.

199

Robert Woods

BUF

WR

200

Marlon Brown

BAL

WR

201

Jerome Simpson

MIN

WR

202

Jermichael Finley

FA

TE

If he signs, he could shoot up rankings.

203

Ryan Griffin

HOU

TE

204

Steven Hauschka

SEA

K

205

Justin Tucker

BAL

K

206

Phil Dawson

SF

K

207

Mason Crosby

GB

K

208

Dan Bailey

DAL

K

209

Texans

HOU

DST

210

Saints

NO

DST

211

Ka'Deem Carey

CHI

RB

212

Devonta Freeman

ATL

RB

213

Jerick McKinnon

MIN

RB

214

Chris Polk

PHI

RB

215

Brandon LaFell

NE

WR

216

Kenny Britt

STL

WR

217

Nate Burleson

CLE

WR

218

Harry Douglas

ATL

WR

219

Mike Williams

BUF

WR

220

Jermaine Kearse

SEA

WR

Sidney Rice's retirement creates opportunity.

221

Jordan Matthews

PHI

WR

222

Andre Roberts

WAS

WR

223

Dexter McCluster

TEN

WR

224

Mohamed Sanu

CIN

WR

225

Chris Givens

STL

WR

226

Lance Moore

PIT

WR

227

Steelers

PIT

DST

228

Ravens

BAL

DST

229

Ryan Fitzpatrick

HOU

QB

230

Chad Henne

JAC

QB

231

Brian Hoyer

CLE

QB

Has reportedly taken early lead over Manziel in camp.

232

Michael Vick

NYJ

QB

233

Teddy Bridgewater

MIN

QB

234

Matt Cassel

MIN

QB

235

Garrett Graham

HOU

TE

236

Andrew Quarless

GB

TE

237

Scott Chandler

BUF

TE

238

Marcedes Lewis

JAC

TE

239

Bears

CHI

DST

240

Packers

GB

DST

241

Alex Henery

PHI

K

242

Nick Novak

SD

K

243

Adam Vinatieri

IND

K

244

Jermaine Gresham

CIN

TE

245

Levine Toilolo

ATL

TE

246

Stepfan Taylor

ARI

RB

247

Mike James

TB

RB

248

Andre Williams

NYG

RB

249

Jacquizz Rodgers

ATL

RB

250

Robbie Gould

CHI

K

251

Shayne Graham

NO

K

252

Mike Glennon

TB

QB

253

Shaun Hill

STL

QB

254

Kirk Cousins

WAS

QB

255

Blair Walsh

MIN

K

256

Matt Bryant

ATL

K

257

Marcel Reece

OAK

RB

258

Robert Turbin

SEA

RB

259

Bryce Brown

BUF

RB

260

Mike Tolbert

CAR

RB

261

DuJuan Harris

GB

RB

262

Brandon Bolden

NE

RB

263

Charles Sims

TB

RB

264

Marcus Lattimore

SF

RB

49ers taking their time w/ Lattimore.

265

Joseph Randle

DAL

RB

266

Jason Avant

CAR

WR

267

Paul Richardson

SEA

WR

268

Davante Adams

GB

WR

269

Allen Robinson

JAC

WR

Missed parts of OTAs b/c of hamstring injury.

270

Cody Latimer

DEN

WR

271

Jarvis Landry

MIA

WR

272

Kenbrell Thompkins

NE

WR

273

Blake Bortles

JAC

QB

274

Brandon Pettigrew

DET

TE

275

Rob Housler

ARI

TE

276

Travis Kece

KC

TE

277

Mark Sanchez

PHI

QB

278

Lance Dunbar

DAL

RB

279

Bobby Rainey

TB

RB

He and Mike James could battle for roster spot.

280

Brandon Weeden

DAL

QB

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